8th April 1927 - Rural District Council

Original image on Facebook

Rural District Council

Captain H.H. Williams presided over the meeting of the Rural District Council which followed, other officers present being - Dr R.A. Dunn (M.O.H.), and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody).

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor reported that the Isolation Hospital was closed. The town's consumption of water during the month had been 935,000 gallons, and the water level had risen slightly.

A further supply of disinfectants was required - estimated cost £10 3s.

Drainage

Drainage work had now been completed at the Little Hormead site, and difficulty was now being experienced with the drainage at Cottered; it would be advisable, if possible, to secure a piece of the land adjoining the Council's cottages, for use as a dump.

The Surveyor also asked for instructions as to the cropping of the Buntingford Sewage farm, and stated that sugar beet had been grown there with success during the past year.

After discussing the matter, the Council decided to grow two acres of sugar beet on the farm. It was also agreed to purchase the disinfectants required. The question of the purchase of a piece of ground at Cottered for the disposal of drainage matter from the Council's cottages was left over until the Surveyor had seen Mr Sanders, of Cottered.

A letter was read from Mr Chapman, who has recently erected a bungalow on the London Road, to the effect that, although he had complied with the Surveyor's instructions, as to certain parts of the buolding, he had received a letter from the Clerk to the effect that he was not entitled to the subsidy.

The matter was fully discussed by the Council, and it was unanimously agreed that the Council were in order in not recommending a subsidy.

The Surveyor reported on the rent arrears, and the Chairman said he was very pleased to see that there was an improvement, and that some of the tenants had made an effort to get the arrears down.

The question of adopting bye-laws was again discussed, and the Surveyor presented a draft of the bye-laws which the Council proposed adopting before the war. Mr H.C. Marshall proposed that the Surveyor look through them and report on the matter to a sub-committee consisting of Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. C. Hummerstone and W.J. May.

Mr W.J. May reported on his visit to a conference in London on the Rating and Valuation Act, and was thanked by the Chairman for his interesting and instructive report.

The Clerk read a letter for Sir Charles Longmore to the effect that the work of preparing the Jurors Lists, and registers of electors would now be carried out by two of the Council's rating officers.

Mr C. Hummerstone said the matter required consideration. If the work was being taken out of the hands of the Assistant Overseers, there would be compensation to pay. Some of the Assistant Overseers had been collecting rates, and had been paid no salary for the work, buy they had been receiving certain sums for the preparation of the lists of voters; it was now proposed to take this work from them and give it to the Council's rating officers.

The Clerk said that the amount paid for the preparation of the whole of the lists was approx. £100. He (the Clerk) did not want the job.

Mr G.C. Wilson said he believed thre was a lot of feeling over the matter, and he was anxious, if possible, or giving the Assistant Overseers a chance to carry on.

Mr H.E. Dudley also spoke in a similar way, and after further discussion the Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council for a ruling on the matter.

The North Metropolitan Electric Company submitted plans showing the route of their overhead cable, and these were passed.

The half-yearly estimates were presented by the Clerk. The total required - £3763 - was an increase of £81. There would be a General Rate of 5/- for the district.

Tenders

The following tenders were accepted - Scavenging - Mr C.H. Poulton. Team labour for highways - Mr E.J. Crane.

8th April 1927 - Buntingford Women's Institute

Original image on Facebook

Buntingford Women's Institute

Opening of New Hall

The new Hall, erected at an approximate cost of £1,000, for the Buntingford Women's Institute, was formally opened by Mrs Haldane on 30th March.

The hall, which faced the main road at the north end of the High Street, is fitted up with every modern convenience, including central heating and a hot and cold water service. The main hall is 54 ft. long and 24 ft. wide, and at the rear of this are two dressing rooms, each 13 ft. by 12 ft.; folding doors are fixed in order to make one large room.

At the main entrance there is a ticket office and on the right a ladies' cloak room, the gentlemen's cloak room being on the left. There is an imposing front, with red bricked pillars and iron fence and gates.

The hall was crowded for the opening ceremony. The chair was taken by the President (Mrs H.C. Marshall), who was supported by Mrs H.H. Williams, Mrs Fell, Mrs Howard, Mrs Coleman, and the Secretary (Miss Boniwell).

The President, who was greeted with applause, said that day was a very proud one for the Buntingford Women's Institute. The Institute started in November, 1919, and now on March 30th, 1927, they had their own hall. (Applause). They had the hall through the help of many friends, and she hoped that it would be a benefit and pleasure not only to the Women's Institute, but to the whole of Buntingford.

Mrs Martin Smith was unable to be with them that afternoon, but they had Mrs Haldane, a Vice-Chairman of the Herts. Association, who would perform the opening ceremony. (Applause).

Mrs Haldane said it gave her great pleasure to open such a splendid hall. It was a great achievement for an Institute to build its own hall, and it had meant a great deal of hard work and sacrifice. She congratulated the members very heartily, not only for having a hall, but also for doing a great community work; there was great importance in doing things together. (Applause). The work the Buntingford Institute was doing was reflected on the county of Hertfordshire, and on behalf of the county she would like to say "Thank you."

Mrs Haldane then formally declared the hall open, and wished it a long life, a life that would make Institute life better, brighter, and healthier. (Applause).

Miss Sheila Armstrong then handed Mrs Haldane a beautiful bouquet.

Mrs H.H. Williams said it was a proud day for them all, including their gentlemen friends present. They had with them members of all the religious bodies of Buntingford - the Rev. A. Howard, the Rev. John Cole, and Captain Green of the Salvation Army. Father Morgan sent his best wishes, and regretted that owing to a long-standing engagement he was unable to be present. Continuing Mrs Williams said they wished to commend the hall to God's service, and she would ask them all to join in saying the Lord's Prayer.

This was followed by the singing of "Jerusalem," Miss Woods conducting the singing.

Mrs Fell proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Haldane for performing the opening ceremony, and this was carried with acclamation.

Miss Boniwell (Hon. Sec.) gave the financial statement. After a lot of work in connection with fetes, &c., they had at last got their hall, but they had not quite paid for it. The amount collected by the Institute by means of fetes, &c, was £460. Members' loans amounted to £280, and a kind friend had loans them £300, bringing the total amount to £1040. They had now to set to work to pay off the loans, and they were starting straight away. (Applause).

Mrs A. Howard said that thanks were due to one who had not asked for it. The success of the Buntingford Institute was due to its President (Mrs Marshall.) (Applause). But for her and Mr Marshall they would not be in the position they were today. The members rejoiced to have their own hall, and when they looked back and saw what had been done in past they knew they could look forward to what would be done in the future. (Applause).

Mrs J. Warren seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried with applause.

The President, in replying, said they had to thank Mr E.G. Thody for a good deal. He had been the father, mother, godfather and brother of the hall, and had been perfectly marvellous. But for him they would not have had such a fine building.

Thanks were also due to Mr Claud Fraser, who had purchased the ground and had been most kind throughout. (Applause).

Then came a programme of music, &c., Mrs Scarborough Taylor sang "Down Vauxhall Way" and Mrs G. Armstrong sang by request "The Second Minuet." Miss A.V. Bartlett made a welcome return to the concert platform, and sang two songs, "The Gleaner's Slumber Song" and "Just for a While." Mrs G. Saggers gave one of her amusing recitations, and Mrs Haldane and Miss Woods told some amusing stories. For the men folk, Mr W.J. May replied with a funny tale.

Tea was then served to all present, after which the Committee prepared the room in readiness for the whist drive and dance held during the evening, when there was a crowded attendance, many being unable to take part in the whist drive. Mr H. Clarke performed the duties of M.C. and it was through his excellent management that the 41 tables were arranged.

Dancing followed, the music being supplied by the popular Standon Orchestra, with Mr Ivan Sharp as M.C. 

The whist winners were: Ladies - 1 Miss E. Cutts, 2 Mrs Handy, 3 Miss L. Sartin. Gents - 1 Mr H. Shepherd, 2 Mr W. Watson, 3 Mr W. Gilbey. Highest score first half, Mrs Case. Highest score second half, Mrs Case. Highest score second half, Mrs L. King. Longest stay at one table, Miss R. Cannon. Lowest score, Mr T. Wornham. Lucky ticket, Miss E. Winters.

The festivities went on merrily till 1 a.m. on Thursday morning, everything from the opening ceremony in the afternoon to the last waltz passing off without a hitch.

10th June 1927 - Whit-Monday Fete

Original image on Facebook

Whit-Monday Fete

Opening Ceremony by Lady Salisbury

In favourable weather, a garden fete was held in the grounds of Layston Court (by kind permission of Miss E.M.A. Woods), on Whit-Monday. The fete was in aid of the Buntingford and District Nursing Association and the Buntingford Women's Institute.

The fete was opened at 3 p.m. by Lady Salisbury, who was introduced by Dr R.W. Fell.

Lady Salisbury, in a delightful speech, expressed the pleasure it gave her to be present in such charming surroundings. The object of the fete was an excellent one. The Buntingford Nursing Association did an excellent service to the community and was a boon to the villages. The Women's Institute was also deserving of assistance, for it did an enormous amount of good. (Applause).

Lady Salisbury was then presented with a bouquet by Anne Veasey, a pretty girl of four years.

The stall-holders were soon busy. There were five stalls replete with articles, while adjoining were numerous side-shows and attractions. A tennis tournament drew several entries. Teas were served under a large tree, the committee being assisted by a number of helpers.

Mrs Dixon proposed a vote of thanks to Lady Salisbury for so kindly opening the fete and this was seconded by Mrs H.C. Marshall, and carried with applause.

A programme of dances, with music supplied by the Band, concluded a very successful day.

There were so many helpers both before the day itself that we withhold the lengthy list, but mention should be made of the services of the fete Hon. Sec. Mr G.H. Maughan, who had been preparing for the event for some weeks.

3rd June 1927 - Buntingford Rural District Council

Original image on Facebook

Buntingford Rural District Council

Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Rural District Council was held at the Board Room on Thursday in last week.

Present: Capt. H.H. Williams (in the chair), Messrs. C. Hummerstone, F.B. Cannon, H.C. Marshall, Claud Fraser, H.E. Dudley, E. Bygrave, F. Prime, A.W. Page, G. Graves, A.J. Hayes, G.C. Wilson, T.J. Stick and W.J. May, with the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr R.A. Dunn), and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody).

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor reported that the Isolation Hospital remained closed.

The consumption of water for the past month has been 1,075,000 gallons.

The Surveyor also reported that Mr C. Reed, of Cottered, had submitted plans for a proposed bungalow to be erected by him at Cottered. The plans were in order.

There was also a report on the water supply at Wakeley cottages, the Surveyor reporting that they reservoir needed repairing and adequate means taken to ensure protection of the water from pollution.

Cottered Drainage

The Surveyor reported that he had again inspected the site adjoining the Cottered cesspool, and he suggested that a small Sub-Committee be appointed to view it.

The Chairman, Mr H.E. Dudley and Mr T.J. Stick arranged to meet on the site on Saturday.

The Clerk stated that the Anstey Parish Meeting had submitted the name of Mr Herbert S. Ward, of Bandons, Anstey, as a candidate to fill the vacancy on the Board caused through the death of Mr James C. Pigg.

Bye-Laws

Copies of the proposed Bye-laws which had been drafted by a Sub-Committee of the Council were submitted to the members.

The Chairman said that two of the members of that Sub-Committee were strongly in favour of the adoption of bye-laws, but one wished to reserve his judgment. If, however, the Council decided to adopt hte bue-laws, that member was of the opinion that those drafted would be most suitable.

In commenting on the drafts submitted, Captain Williams said the intention of the Council was not to draft anything in the way of interfering laws, but he thought that it was a mark of progress that they should have something that would be a guide to the people.

Mr G.C. Wilson moved a vote of thanks to the Sub-Committee for the way in which they had gone into the matter.

It was decided to adjourn the matter for a period of four months.

A further letter was read from Mr Chapman, of London Road, Buntingford, with reference to his application for a subsidy in respect of the bungalow recently erected by him. The Clerk stated that the letter had been sent to the Council by the Ministry of Health, and he had replied to the Ministry, and furnished them with all particulars of the case. The matter was left over until the Ministry has dealth with the Clerk's letter.

Dr R.A. Dunn submitted his annual report of vital and general statistics, an observation of which appears in another column. In answer to a question by the Chairman, Dr Dunn said that cancer is distinctly a disease of old age.

The Council confirmed the appointment of the 2 rating officers to carry out the work in connection with the Registration of Electors' Lists and the preparationg of the Juror Lists.

Mr F.B. Cannon urged that the Council draw the attention of the County Council to the dangerous corner near the Sandon turning at Chipping Bridge. Several accidents had occurred there, and there had been a smash up on the corner that morning.

It was resolved to write the County Council on the matter.

----

At the meeting of the Guardians, Mr H.C. Marshall suggested that the Board approach the North Metropolitan Electric Light Co. with a view to obtaining an estimate for wiring the Poor Law Institution.